The lights dim over Korakuen Hall. The air thickens as the ring announcer introducing Kobo for his first ten-rounder fight.
"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing our uprising star, fighting out of the red corner! Nineteen years old, standing at one-seventy-five centimeters, officially weighing in at 63.4 kilograms. He enters the ring tonight with an undefeated record; four fights, four wins, all by knockout!"
His hand cuts through the air toward the red corner.
"Representing Minato Bayside Gym… Kobo Maruyama!"
But the applause that follows is thin, polite, almost hollow. And Kobo doesn't raise his gloves, doesn't even blink.
His chest still moves fast, his breathing uneven. The announcer's voice barely registers. Everything around him feels muffled, distant, like he's underwater.
After the ring announcer leaves, the referee finally gestures sharply, callin both fighters to the center.
Ryohei moves first, calm and deliberate, gloves hanging loose.
